NFL chat with Jim Thomas

Bring your questions and comments about the NFL, and talk to Post-Dispatch football writer Jim Thomas in a live chat starting at 1 p.m.

Actually Linehan did go 8-8 his first season and had the team in playoff contention entering the final weekend of the season. (Then lost 17 of his next 20 games before getting fired 4 games into the '08 season.) Spags wasn't as fortunate, going 1-15 in his maiden voyage, although the team did finish 7-9 in 2010 _ his second season _ and played Seattle on the final day of that season for the NFC West title. Yes, the Rams would've won the West at 8-8 that year, which was Sam Bradford's rookie season.

by jthomas2/21/2017 8:41:08 PM

Don't the Cardinals have to draft their QB of the future in the upcoming draft? If Carson Palmer's already thinking about retirement, then Arizona better have a plan of succession in place.

by JJ2/21/2017 8:41:24 PM

I don't think there's any doubt the Cardinals have to start looking. As I recall they might have taken Paxton Lynch a year go, if the Broncos hadn't moved up.

by jthomas2/21/2017 8:42:27 PM

i have to say that I am fairly impressed with the coaching staff that McVay has assembled for the next few years. However, it seemed on paper that Fisher had a decent staff assembled, on the defensive side of the ball anyway. I think with last years team that a very good offensive coaching staff could have won possibly 3 more games. That still does not make the playoffs. Thus, there needs to be a serious influx of talent on this team. How many players is this team away from making the playoffs?

by Todd2/21/2017 8:42:57 PM

The answer depends on how many of the team's own free agents return, a group that includes Trumaine Johnson, T.J. McDonald, Greg Zuerlein, Kenny Britt, Benny Cunningham, Case Keenum. Laugh if you want that I mention Keenum, but you probably need a veteran backup QB if he goes unless you truly believe that Mannion can be the No. 2.

by jthomas2/21/2017 8:45:33 PM

It seems that the Rams need help at CB, S, and LB on defense, and that they need help at WR, TE, OL, and FB. Is that about right? That seems like a tall mountain to climb to make the playoffs in year one. Best case scenario, how many years before the Rams are back in playoffs?

by Todd2/21/2017 8:45:46 PM

I agree with your basic shopping list. And yes, that is a lot to do in one offseason. I'd say if a lot of things go right _ including Goff showing that he can be a good starting QB _ you're talking two-to-three years.

by jthomas2/21/2017 8:47:08 PM

Jim -- Thank you for the chats. Refresh my memory: I was not living in St. Louis in the early '90s when it looked like the area was going to land a NFL expansion team -- which obviously would have avoided the mess with the Rams. The stadium deal was done and everything seemed in place, but suddenly, it fell apart at the last minute. I know a lot of people blame Jerry Clinton for holding onto the lease, but it had to be a little deeper than that. What do you remember as the key points? Plus, why do you think St. Louis officials agreed to that top-tier clause in the lease? Were things really that desperate? Seems ludicrous in hindsight. Thanks and I'll hang up and listen.

by formerramsfan2/21/2017 8:48:33 PM

No, it basically was as simple that Clinton had the lease, and wanted the power, but not enough money to be majority owner. James Busch Orthwein had the money and wanted the power, but didn't have control of the lease. In fairness to Clinton, had the expansion process not dragged on and on for years, he may have had the money to pull it off early in the process. But the longer the expansion process dragged on, the more expensive the expansion fee became, pricing Clinton out of the game. As for the first-tier clause, it remains a mystery to me why officials agreed to this. There was an element of desperation. Keep in mind, the expansion bid had just collapsed, and St. Louis had a $300 million stadium that was already one-third complete. There was a fear that the city was about to be saddled with the world's most expensive tractor pull/monster truck facility.

by jthomas2/21/2017 8:53:46 PM

One other thing: Let me echo the earlier comments and wish Dan O'Neal a happy retirement. I always enjoyed his writing, especially some of his lookbacks at St. Louis sports history. I know you're a lifelong St. Louisan, Mr. Thomas. I hope they let you do some of that. You would be great. Any chance we'll see you in that role?

by formerramsfan2/21/2017 8:54:12 PM

Thanks for the kind words. And I've already done some of that. You may recall a piece I did in collaboration with Ben Frederickson on the All-St. Louis Pro Football Team, a compilation of the best Rams and Cardinals to play here over a combined 49 seasons. We caught up with Roy Green early this past season prior to his induction into the Cardinals Ring of Honor. And I was really proud of a companion piece we did on St. Louis' Hall of Fame offensive tackles, Pace and Dierdorf, with Jim Hanifan _ who coached them both _ comparing the two. Perhaps I'll have a chance to do more in the future, and even expand it to non-football subjects.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:00:03 PM

Do you think Alex Smith continues as Chiefs QB or should they be thinking of upgrade to take them to next level?

by Tommydeeman2/21/2017 9:00:06 PM

Great question. My guess, is that the Chiefs stand pat with Alex Smith. But it's at least a question they have to consider, isn't it? Can we do better than Smith? Easier said than done, of course. Because Smith is pretty good. But should they at least kick the tires on Romo? Food for thought.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:01:43 PM

So the voters don't make their ballots public? You didn't get a vote? Jeez, a whole lotta stupid on that process.

by ihtnep2/21/2017 9:01:48 PM

Hall voters are not required to make their votes public, although some do voluntary. Bernie Miklasz is the St. Louis voter, and I have no problem with that because he does a fantastic job. (In addition, friend Howard Balzer has an at-large vote.) Obviously, I'd be honored to have a vote, but have never been asked. I never get hung up on those types of things.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:04:09 PM

As far as JL anf JJ being 2nd round picks I don't think they were bad picks, but they never played in a Pro Bowl as a Ram either.

by petewhisenant2/21/2017 9:04:17 PM

True that. Although Jenkins made it this past season with the NY Giants.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:04:42 PM

at what point do the Rams recognize that GRob's contract was a waste and they can use the roster spot for something better?

by Fred2/21/2017 9:04:50 PM

I hear you. Maybe one more year?

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:05:09 PM

Do the Cowboys and Dak Prescott take a step back in 2017? They took advantage of a soft schedule this season, but will presumably face a tougher schedule next season. Also, teams will have the full off-season to study tape on Prescott.

by JJ2/21/2017 9:05:30 PM

Good points. Personally, I have the feeling that Prescott is here to stay. In other words he's the real deal. But we'll see. They did have a lot of things go their way in 2016.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:06:42 PM

Jim, you remember the pricing for PSL's back in '95 for St. Louis? I'll just say this... Peanuts compared to what I will charge! Can you say six figure Jim. Although, six figures sounds cheap to me. I'm more of a 10 figure guy if you know what I mean.

by E. Stanley Kroenke - LA Rams2/21/2017 9:07:02 PM

Do I remember? My family bought four in the nosebleed section. Every year on opening day, I'd walk by the wall outside the stadium that contained the names of the charter PSL holders and look for the family name. They were good seats. One thing about the dome, the sightlines were very good. Anyway, the PSLs were $250 apiece back then. From what I've heard, the Rams are at least considering charging $5,000 for the cheapest PSLs at Inglewood.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:09:59 PM

Remember good ol Tye Hill that couldn't cover my 95 year old grandmother? Another bad pick...

by Brendan2/21/2017 9:10:22 PM

Tye Hill was very fast. But also very small and had no ball skills.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:10:44 PM

A great story would be the "team that never was" go back to 2000 and pick a team from the player the Rams passed on each year. Show a team St Louis Rams team that could have been.

by Fitzgerald2/21/2017 9:11:09 PM

Food for thought. . . .Thx

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:11:21 PM

I get the feeling that if there was a secret ballot to get rid of Goodell amongst the owners, it would be 31-1 in favor of keeping him. Robert Kraft being the one. Until the owners stop making money hand over fist, they don't care about anything else. Concussions, wife beating, relocation, misunderstanding of science ... it's all background noise as long as the franchise values keep skyrocketing.

by JJ2/21/2017 9:11:47 PM

You've figured it out. . .

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:12:04 PM

It seems that O linemen and D linemen (and the occasional QB) have the longest careers in the NFL. I assume that is why many experts say you build a team from the inside out. How many years for a career would you expect to get for a high round draft pick? Would 8-10 years as a starter be considered an good pick or a great pick in your opinion?

by Todd2/21/2017 9:12:56 PM

Certainly, if you could get 8 to 10 starting seasons out of a draft pick, you'd be very happy.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:13:26 PM

Jim, which NFL teams do you see having the most promising upside?

by quinton2/21/2017 9:13:32 PM

I guess the team I'm most intrigued with as we approach the start of the "league year" March 9 (the start of the free agency and trading period) is Tennessee. They need some help in the secondary, they need another pass rusher. They need another good receiver. Mariota looks like the real deal to me, although he still needs to cut back on his turnovers some. They're not that far away, and they do have those extra draft picks from the Rams.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:15:30 PM

Jim, please correct me where I'm wrong. The vegas stadium, if built, will be publicly funded by monies approved by the state legislature, not the resident voters. The same was true in minneapolis. The santa clara stadium was entirely privately funded. I don't know how the atlanta stadium is being funded --- did voters themselves approve of it? San Diego residents rejected public funding, and Oakland didn't come up with funding for the raiders. Are the owners starting to realize the days of voter subsidies is coming to an end? What happens in 10 years when more current stadiums need funding for renovations? I'm wondering if the day will come when they'll relent with their greed and settle for more modest stadiums privately built. I still think the dome here is an acceptable permanent site for a team, if the league ever decides to expand or Khan decides he has to leave jacksonville. Your thoughts, please.

by rich c2/21/2017 9:18:05 PM

There was a FoxSports story that said over the last 20 years, $7 billion had been spent on either new NFL stadiums or renovations to NFL stadiums _ or 46 percent of the total cost. According to that story, public money accounted for $600 million of the $1.4 billion cost of the new Atlanta stadium _ although I'm not sure if that was via a public vote or mere vote of the legislature. However, the public money was authorized, around the country there still are enough cities willing to pony up. . .Atlanta, Minnesota, and Las Vegas. St, Louis had a stadium plan that was ready to offer between $300 million and $400 million _ depending on who you believe, or about 30-40 percent of the cost of a new stadium. It will be very interesting to see what happens when it's time for the next generation of stadiums to be built around the country. The league does seem to be fixated on "palaces." Other than the fact that there's very little outside light _ a design flaw to be sure _ the dome in St. Louis is in good shape. I think it has at least 10 years left. But I can't see another team moving here without the promise of a new stadium.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:26:15 PM

What do you make of the Cousins situation in Washington? Thanks

by Paul2/21/2017 9:26:26 PM

I don't think Washington has any choice but to pay the man. What are the other options?

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:27:07 PM

Regarding St. Louis, has Kurt Warner said anything on who will accompany him and what he intends to say concerning his days playing under the Arch while being inducted at Canton into the HOF?

by nick n2/21/2017 9:27:20 PM

To my knowledge, Kurt has not said who will present him. As for what he might say about StL, it will be hard to top what he said on Feb. 4, the night he found out he had been voted in.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:28:17 PM

Do the Rams give up any picks in 2018 as part of the Goff trade? If not, there is a slight chance that the Rams are relevant again in 2018. Otherwise, they probably do not become relevant until the stadium opens. It will be a hoot to listen to the NFL claim in their future negotiations that new football stadiums lead to good NFL teams

by Todd2/21/2017 9:31:18 PM

The Titans get the Rams' first_ and third-round picks in this draft, and then that's it. No compensation due in 2018.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:32:16 PM

How in the heck did Les Snead keep his job?

by Lukas2/21/2017 9:32:37 PM

A good question to which I have no answer.

by jthomas2/21/2017 9:32:52 PM

Hi Jim, I am a "LA" fan and I don't think the new OL coach will work miracles, I can certainly hope though.I was thinking of this and wanted to get your thoughts. If all competition is fair this upcoming season, I think Sean Mannion has the ability to beat out Jarrod Goff. My only question is with Goff being the number one overall, will everything be fair?

by RR2/21/2017 9:33:56 PM

There won't be a "competition" this year. After investing all those draft picks in Goff, the Rams will do everything they can to make it work with him.